1. Pre Columbian Americas

2. 15-16000 years ago 1st humans settled Americas
Came across Bering Strait from NE Asia
14500 years ago evidence of humans in Florida and Chile
Followed patterns similar to other parts of the world
Agriculture years ago
Misconception:
At time of European colonization, Americas were sparsely populated with Hunter Gatherers
Not true: million people 10-20% of world population
Major cities -> Aztecs, Mayan, Inca

4. Olmec (1200-400 BCE) Origins are a mystery
Mother Culture of the Americas
Developed their own language and basic calendar
Ceremonial complexes
Pyramids
Sports
End a mystery  revolts, environmental

5. Olmec Ball Court

6. Olmec

7. Maya (0-800 CE) Descendants still exist Like Olmec Pyramids
Ball Courts
Calendar
Engaged in constant combat
Mayan civilization collapsed 900 CE
Mayans didn’t disappear but left their cultural centers
When Spanish arrived the centers still existed but Maya couldn’t read the writings or inscriptions  their history was lost

8. Mayan Cultural Centers
Tikal
Mayan Cultural Centers
Chichen Itza

9. Bonampak Fresco
785 CE
Scene depicts Mayan victory and festivities including ritual mutilation and sacrifice
These murals played a role in changing beliefs that Mayan culture had been peaceful

10. City of Mayapan

11. Aztec Most successful expansionists in pre-contact period
Conquered and demanded tribute from city-states in region
Dominated region from late 13th-16th century
This created major divisions and rivalry

12. Aztec Empire Capital city: Tenochtitlan In the middle of a lake
Demonstrated wealth
High level of agriculture
Used large, floating gardens
Hierarchical social structure
By 16th century  thriving culture built on warfare and violent expansionism

13. Aztec Empire Religion Central cultural identity for Aztec people
Aztecs believed in may gods
They used human sacrifice as a source of strength, nourishment for gods
Continual supply is necessary
Took it to a new level  1000’s over a year
Maintained warfare to keep supply of sacrifices
Led to Aztec downfall

14. Aztec Human Sacrifice
became commonplace among the Aztecs after the famine of 1450–1451 CE. The priest cut out the victim's still-beating heart with an obsidian knife, displayed it, then rolled the dead carcass down the stairs. As many as 20,000 people could be sacrificed in a single day to provide the blood necessary to ensure the sun's rise.

15. Observatory at Chichen Itza

16. Inca Largest American empire before Spanish
Lasted only about 100 years
No written language
1000’s of miles of paved roads
Tied empire together
Expansionist and administrative
Grew through aggressive militaristic action
Vibrant militaristic people with a gift for administration
Like the Aztecs, when people think of the Inca they think of its decline.
Because theres no written language, early accounts are largely oral. Overlap between the history and mythology.

17. Rise of the Inca Empire 15th century Expanded due to military conquest
Subjugated surrounding tribes
Permanent army created  destroy many surrounding kingdoms
Form effective alliances  absorb people without conquest
Internal dissent ruthlessly put down
Built an extensive road system to control people & movement of army
Hold empire together

18. Rise of Inca Empire Ruthless to resisters
Enemies annihilated and survivors killed
Willing to accept surrender

19. Inca State and Empire
Needed to control conquered people and support army
A system of runners was used to communicate between provinces
Collected taxes and tributes
Relocated conquered people to keep control
Developed elaborate agricultural methods to support growing population
Terracing and irrigation
Llamas but no other large animals
No animals = no cavalry, wheeled vehicles

20. End of the Inca Spanish arrive in 1531 Inca Empire at its height
: Inca conquered with only 180 men
Many factors played a role
Civil war and internal dissent in Incan empire when Spanish arrive
Disease
Spanish tactics
Kidnapping and execution
Spanish gunpowder, cavalry, steel armor
Spanish conquest of Inca ultimately leads to the rise of the Spanish Silver Empire

21. Machu Picchu

22. Inca Ruins with Terraces

23. Ruins at Cuzco

24. Ruins at Pisac, Peru